Want to travel with your baby but are worried about safety? Southwest Airlines can be your right travel partner. The airline takes full responsibility for you and your child. However, it is also necessary for you to follow the infant policy set by the airline. Southwest Airlines established the infant policy to ensure families traveling with babies have a safe and enjoyable flight experience.
Hence, any passenger who plans to travel with a baby, regardless of their age, is required to follow the infant policy. However, the policy is mainly for babies under two, as the airline allows them to sit on their parents’ laps without buying a separate seat. So, if you are looking to know how to “Add lap child to existing Southwest ticket,” then this blog is for you. Here, we will share detailed information about it.
What Is Southwest Airlines Infant Policy?
Every airline has its own set of rules that passengers must follow. So, even if you are traveling with Southwest Airlines, it is still necessary to follow their infant policy and familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions.
Here is Southwest Airlines Infant Policy:
- Only children under the age of two are recognized as infants, and they can be added as “lap babies.”
- Only a single passenger can fly with a lap baby. Anyone who wants to travel with more than one infant must buy a separate seat.
- To “Add lap child to existing Southwest Ticket” contact the airline directly at their official number at 1-800-435-9792 or dial +1-800-633-0441 to get assistance from a travel expert.
- Only an FAA-approved car seat is allowed to be used on Southwest Airlines.
- Infants under 14 days are required to have a medical release to travel with Southwest Airlines.
- A passenger traveling with a lap baby must be 12 or older.
- Domestic travel for a lap child is usually free; however, it is best to check the details on the airline’s official website or by contacting the airline over the phone.
- A passenger seeking assistance to “Add lap child to existing Southwest Ticket” is required to pay a small amount for the fare to travel internationally with the lap baby.
- Although a boarding pass is not needed for the lap infant, a Boarding Verification Document must be carried on. This document can be obtained after checking in online using the official app.
- Remember to carry the government-issued documents verifying your child’s age if you add your child as a lap child to your Southwest ticket.
Documents Needed To Add Lap Child To Existing Southwest Ticket
Documents are necessary to fly on Southwest Airlines, even for infants. Hence, if any passenger is looking to “Add Iap child to existing Southwest Ticket,” they need to submit the documents that are mentioned below:
- Government-issued ID proofs such as a passport, birth certificate, and more.
- A medical clearance certificate to ensure the lap baby is eligible to fly via plane.
- Necessary travel documents include a passport to travel internationally.
- A separate ticket might not be required for a lap infant, but a Boarding Verification Document is important to carry.
Can I Add Lap Child To Existing Southwest Airlines?
Generally, Southwest Airlines requires you to include the baby as a lap child when booking tickets. However, most passengers fail to complete this process or think it is not necessary to add the baby, which later causes distress. Hence, it’s advisable to include the baby when booking. If you missed adding it, then follow the two widely used processes to “Add lap child to existing Southwest Ticket.”
Online Method
The official website of the airline can be used to add a lap baby on domestic and international flights, but it requires following the steps mentioned below:
- Step 1: Browse Southwest Airlines website.
- Step 2: Fill in the details like departure, destination, and travel dates.
- Step 3: Once you spot the “Passengers” section, mention the total number of seats you want to occupy and choose the number of adults and infants.
- Step 4: It’s time to choose the “Flight”.
- Step 5: Before paying the fees, submit the required details and documents for yourself and the infants you’ll be traveling with.
- Step 6: Wait for the official confirmation.
The steps mentioned above are used to add the baby when booking the flight. To “Add lap child to existing Southwest Ticket,” it’s required to choose the second option, which is the offline method.
Offline Method
Contact the airline directly to add the lap child to an existing ticket. Follow the steps to make a request:
- Step 1: Use your smartphone and dial Southwest official contact number, 1-800-435-9792, to make the request. Meanwhile, call +1-800-633-0441 and speak to a flight expert if the official number is tough to reach.
- Step 2: Once the call is picked up, inform the representative about “Add lap child to existing Southwest Ticket.”
- Step 3: Provide the infant’s details and pay the fee, if needed.
- Step 4: Wait to receive an official confirmation. Meanwhile, learn the infant policy through the representative.
Can A Separate Seat Be Purchased For An Infant On Southwest Airlines?
Yes, passengers can buy a separate seat for their infants, even though they can be carried on a lap. Documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or medical certificate (if flying with a sick baby or a newborn baby) are required to be submitted and might be asked for during check-in. For clearer information, contact Southwest customer support at 1-800-435-9792 or dial +1-800-633-0441 to get in touch with a travel expert.
Sum Up
To add a lap child to an existing Southwest Airlines ticket, it is best to request offline assistance from the airline at 1-800-435-9792 or talk to a travel expert at +1-800-633-0441 in case the number is busy. A travel expert assigned to you will guide you on adding a lap baby, what documents you need, and provide detailed information regarding “Southwest Airlines Name Change Marriage” if asked.
